Baader Steeltrack question

[ab1963]

I would like to hear from anyone about the Baader Steeltrack in comparison with a FT or Moonlite ,Thanks in advance

[Wavytone]

I have one on my MK91... it’s very nice for visual... what’s your concern ? https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/605916-mk91-feathertouch-focuser/

From a practical perspective the bottom of the focusser has four tiny grub screws to grip the baseplate so be careful how much weight you intend to hang off the back - it’s possible it may rip the whole focusser off it’s base and flexure of the base may be an issue for imaging.

The second aspect is that the roller drive is very free-running., ie it will tend to rack out under the weight of a heavy eyepiece - though there is a trivial solution I’ve posted on CN.
https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/662331-add-adjustable-drag-to-ts-unc-focuser-baader-steeltrack/

Lastly while there is a motor drive from TS it s pathetically slow - like a factor of 10 slow - which suggests it was geared for direct drive not 10:1 - but on these focussers the toothed pinion drives the 10:1 knob not the 1:1 knob. I’m considering making another drive using a stepping motor and a few chips but it’s not a high priority at the moment.

The wait for a FTF was impossible, they didn’t make a really low profile one anyway, and I couldn’t find a moonlight to fit - and I had to hav a new backplate made to suit which TS did for a nice price.

[ab1963]

Are they close in performance to FT/Moonlite focusers and i read on one of the American sites that the body is hard plastic which i find hard to believe wanting to use on a 80mm Apo and any advice will be appreciated....

[Wavytone]

What do you mean by "performance" ? The body of mine is quite definitely aluminium, machined and anodised. Bought it from TS in Germany.

[ab1963]

Does it hold focus well and under heavier loads ,Is focusing smooth and precise and if you have used either a Feathertouch or moonlite what is its performance compared to either

[Wavytone]

as is, it comes with a lock screw which is all or nothing. There is no slip at all, but the focus shaft does spin so freely that it will rack out if unlocked with the scope pointing up under its own weight.

I added adjustable drag using two nylon 5mm bolts in the holes provided for the motor. This IMHO is nirvana.

yes

no.

If you are contemplating a heavy load I’d look at the helical rack & pinion types from TS, they are designed for 5kg or so. I had a 130 mm APO with one, which was nice.

[Camelopardalis]

I recently bought a Diamond Steeltrack for my Edge 11 and mine exhibits no slip at all. In fact, without the focuser lock on, it’s possible to drag the scope around without the focuser moving. It moves smoothly with either the coarse or fine focus knobs.

The SCT version doesn’t have a lot of travel, but allows my to get rough focus with the primary mirror and enable the mirror locks on the scope and then use the Steeltrack to get predise focus.

A mate of mine has both a Moonlite and a Feathertouch and the Steeltrack compares favourably. The Moonlite readily slips. Both are heavier than the Baader.

[ab1963]

Thanks to both of you for the information as it s most appreciated

[FlashDrive]

Years back I bought a WO Scope from Germany ...it had a ' Baader Steel Track ' Focuser .... beautifully made / Solid Build / NO PLASTIC / as smooth as a ' Swiss Watch .

I'd certainly buy another if I could manage the ' funds '

Col....

[morls]

I've got a 2" Diamond Steeltrack. Awesome focuser, excellent build quality. It's rated to carry 6kg vertical with no slippage, so unsurprisingly with 500g diagonal and 700g panoptic it is rock solid. As Dunk said not a great deal of travel but it's a very high quality piece.

[ab1963]

Thanks for the advice everyone and ended up buying the new diamond steeltrack for refractors that should land tomorrow.....

[FlashDrive]

Andrew ....I've managed to get them to 'redirect ' it to my place ...so I'll test it for you first...I'll have it for quite a while ....:P

Col...

[ab1963]

No worries Col out of the 3 types i looked at i think i have made the right choice and if not for whatever reason you can have the first crack at it

[Merlin66]

I’ve been very happy with the Baader steel track 10:1 focuser on the TS 102/1100 refractor.
It works very well as my solar scope - white light with the Cool Baader Herschel wedge and as. Successful 102mm PST mod for Ha solar observing.
Recommended.

[FlashDrive]

Ooooh goodie ...!! cheers Mate ..!!

[ab1963]

Baader Diamond Steeltrack landed today and i am impressed put a 31 Nagler, 2x powermate and 2'' diagonal on the end of it at zenith and never budged, Still as smooth as you like to focus and zero image and focuser shift.....

[FlashDrive]

Excellent Choice ...:thumbsup:

[morls]

Just out of interest, how does it compare to your Feather Touch focuser?

[ab1963]

I can't really compare it to the 3035 R&P Feathertouch on my Tak FC100DF as i think that is the best focuser on the planet but in comparison to a 2'' FT crayford as i have had 2 of these i suppose i can comment and the Baader IMO is as good i wanted to get a FT but there was not an adapter for the Vixen SD81S so next was the Moonlite and scarring on the drawtube affecting its performance even though they had an adapter and affected look of the focuser cancelled that out so i gave the Baader a go they had the adapter and had a few hours observing with it tonight and i am more than pleased with its performance and TBH think it was a Godsend starlight didn't have the adapter cost wise ,FT 3035 R&P close to $2k posted Baader a touch over $600 posted and worth every penny and on a 80mm refractor more than enough.......